NewCath’s Big Ben clocking big numbers

Newport Central Catholic star Ben Weyer is making more noise in Rupp Arena this week than the Monster Jam trucks did when they rolled in here for a show last month.

In two games in the 99th Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Sweet Sixteen, the 6-foot-6 senior has put up staggering numbers — 46 points, 25 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 blocked shots — while leading NewCath to the state semifinals for the first time since 1953.

It just so happens that Weyer’s grandfather, Jim Weyer, was the starting point guard on the ’53 Thoroughbreds team that lost to eventual champ Lafayette in the final four.

Ben’s dad Joe also has Sweet Sixteen history. He played for Highlands in the 1986 and ’87 state tournaments. He, too, was a point guard who fed Bluebirds’ star Scott Draud. Highlands lost in the first round both years.

“My dad messes with me a lot,” Ben said. “He’ll say, ‘I’ve been down there twice with Highlands.’ I say, ‘Yes, but you only played one game each time.’ Well now I’m going to play more than him.”

Weyer’s performance in Rupp has wowed fans who had never seen him play before. But it’s routine viewing for NewCath Coach Ron Dawn, who has seen it all before — the post-up moves, the three-point shooting (Weyer is 6-for-10 from long range this week), the rebounds, the assists, the blocked shots.

“He’s done it for us all year,” Dawn said.

After Murray Coach Bart Flener watched Weyer get 19 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocked shots in Wednesday’s win over Trinity, he hoped to limit the damage Weyer would do against his Tigers in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Flener wanted to keep Weyer’s stat-line total under 30.

Weyer, who has signed with Bellarmine, blew that away with 27 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks for a total of 45.

“He’s the best player I feel like we played against all year,” Flener said. “His versatility is outstanding.”

His family bragging rights are pretty outstanding, too.

After Friday’s win, Big Ben is one up on his dad, and if NewCath can get to the title game, he can top his granddad’s experience, too.

ABOUT MIKE FIELDS

After working as a sports writer for 41 years, I needed a break from the daily demands and deadlines of the newspaper business. So last June I retired from the Lexington Herald-Leader after covering approximately 4,000 high school sports events in my career. Now, eight months later, I’m rested and ready for a part-time return to the game. To reintroduce myself: I was born in Pikeville, grew up in Bardstown, graduated from the University of Kentucky, worked at newspapers in Eustis, Fla., Lake City, Fla., Henderson, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., before coming to Lexington in 1980. Email me at mfields@khsaa.org

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